Robert W. Milliken Paintings

Robert Andrews Millikan was a prominent American experimental physicist honored with the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1923 for his measurement of the elementary electric charge and his work on the photoelectric effect. Born on March 22, 1868, in Morrison, Illinois, Millikan pursued his higher education at Oberlin College and later earned his Ph.D. from Columbia University, where he focused on the study of gases. His early academic career saw him teaching at the University of Chicago, where he would spend a significant portion of his professional life.

Millikan's most famous experiment, the oil-drop experiment conducted in 1909, precisely measured the charge of a single electron. This groundbreaking work not only provided conclusive proof for the quantization of electric charge but also determined the value of the elementary electric charge with unprecedented accuracy. This experiment, along with his extensive research on the photoelectric effect, which supported Einstein's photon theory of light, solidified his reputation as a leading physicist of his time.

Beyond his scientific achievements, Millikan played a crucial role in the development of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) into a leading research institution. Serving as Caltech's president from 1921 to 1945, he was instrumental in attracting top scientists to the institution, thereby fostering an environment of innovation and research excellence. Millikan's contributions to physics and education left a lasting legacy, influencing the direction of American scientific research well into the 20th century.

Despite his achievements, Millikan's legacy is not without controversy. His staunch defense of classical physics in the face of emerging quantum mechanics and his involvement in eugenics advocacy have sparked debates among historians of science. Nevertheless, Millikan's impact on physics and his pioneering experimental techniques have made him a significant figure in the history of science. He passed away on December 19, 1953, in San Marino, California, leaving behind a body of work that continues to influence the field of physics.